Among his many trophies tied to his 2011 solo album “Kaunaloa,” Kahele earned song of the year for the Spanish-inflected “Nā Vaqueros,” so when I heard Espaniola was planning to talk to Kahele and producer Dave Tucciarone (a nine-time Nā Hōkū winner himself), I assumed they would delve into this stirring tribute to Hawaii’s first paniolo (cowboys). But they focused on an equally deserving if more tender mele, “Wāikāhuli,” which Kahele says he wrote “for the love of my life” while on a trip to Italy. (To hear the song, click on video below.)

“During the course of our trip, I started to compare the many beauties of Italy to that of my home on Hawaiʻi Island,
Kahele tells Espaniola. “This is what sparked the lovely mele.” The interview continues with an explanation of the title:

Q. The title translates loosely into “Daisy Flower.” Can you talk about that and if there is any kaona [hidden meaning] that you’d like to share about the song?

A. Wāikāhuli is a tiny little blossom that can be found on the slopes and prairies of Mauna Kea. Such a beautiful tiny blossom to behold. Being that my love is a haole from Oregon. I used the “daisy” or the “wāikāhuli” as a reference to their beauty. I thought it was pretty fitting to use being that the flower itself is from the mainland and had found its way here to Hawaiʻi.

Curious about this little flower that I don’t think I’ve seen in Hawaiʻi, I dug a little deeper and found this definition on the Ulukau Electronic Libraryof Hawaiian-language dictionaries: “A calliopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria), an annual ornamental herb, in the daisy family, from central United States, the ray flowers yellow with dark-red at the base. … Lit., change [of] color.” The Hawaiians also gave the name wāikāhuli (sometimes melekula wāi kāhuli) to Gaillardia pulchella, another yellow-and-red floral import from the Midwest (where it’s known as the firewheel or Indian blanket), according to Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk Project (HEAR) This in turn led me to discover that HEAR itself is at risk, or at least the hosting of its extensive photo libraries and archival plant information — oops, thanks for leading me down the rabbit hole, Mr. Espaniola!

Back on the music beat (which it was my fault for deviating from), Espaniola joined forces recently with Herb Ohta Jr., Keoki Kahumoku and John Keawe for their Christmas Kanikapila Tour stop at the “beautiful” Michaan Auction Theater, which reminded him of the Fox Theater in Redwood City. (“I had no idea there was such a venue in Alameda,” he noted.) The headlining trio play Silo’s in Napa tonight; Keawe then heads home to the island of Hawaiʻi (and a free concert Dec. 18 at Kīlauea Visitor Center), while Ohta and Kahumoku continue at the Cellar Door in Visalia Wednesday, before performing at UC Santa Barbara with Chino Montero) on Dec. 14; see www.sblentertainment.com for details.

Luckily for us in the Bay Area, we have the arrival of Willie K at the Little Fox (and several gigs afterwards) to look forward to on Dec. 16, otherwise this fan would be seriously depressed not to be in Hāna for the debut of Leokāne Pryor and CJ Helekahi‘s new CD, “No Ka Pueo,” at the free “Heart of Hāna” holiday showcase on the lawn at Travaasa Hotel Hana. In addition to new music in Hawaiian and English by more-than-local favorites Pryor and Helekahi, the event from 5 to 8 p.m. includes performances by Joyce Mynar, Stephen Henderson, Lee-ann Paman, the Tolentino ‘ohana and other special guests. Just announced: Discounted room rates (40 percent!) are available at landmark hotel Dec. 14-17; call (855) 868-7282 and ask for the “Heart of Hana” rate.

While few of us may be able to jump on that special, you can order signed and gift-wrapped copies of Helekahi and Pryor’s CD — the first collaborative recording of the longtime performers at Hāna’s famed hotel, and featuring a never-recorded song by the late Charles Kaʻupu. Call (808) 248-8262 or visit www.leokane.com to order.